On the way to its market launch in less than a year and a half, the new BMW iX3 (NA5), the SUV based on the New Class architecture, is completing further test drives in Spain. A current spy video from NCars shows us a whole group of prototypes of the electric car in the format of the new X3 (G45), which are apparently traveling together with other spy cars. On the mountainous routes, the vehicles complete demanding tests with high loads, because in addition to steep inclines and numerous switchbacks, high temperatures also contribute to the test scenario.
These conditions represent a real challenge, not only but especially for electric cars, because of course demanding customers do not want to forego the comfort of automatic climate control and the performance of the electric drive on such routes. It is in the nature of things that the range is significantly lower than in more everyday situations, but thanks to the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology with its round cell batteries, there should still be enough range: Compared to today’s technology, up to 30 percent more range should be possible.
If you pause the recordings during close passes like the scene at minute 1:17, you can also catch a glimpse of the interior and see the display strip called Panoramic Vision at the bottom of the windshield next to a covered curve display. The new display is used in addition to the familiar display behind the steering wheel and the head-up display to project information into the driver’s field of vision. In contrast to the HUD, the Panoramic Vision display is also visible and readable by all other passengers, creating another level of infotainment.
The same technology will definitely be used in the upcoming BMW i3 (NA0) and the first i3 Touring (NA1). However, there are also clear indications that selected features of the New Class will be transferred to existing models with conventional drives in the coming years.
In the video, the group of BMW iX3s is accompanied by, among others, the BMW iX facelift (I20 LCI) and a heavily camouflaged BMW X1 (U11), which is probably also already testing facelift components for the X1 or iX1.
(Erlkönig photo: SHProShots)
